Today was a delightful day. The weather was perfect! I had a mini escape from the day to day and did some of my favorite things. It started off with a trip downtown on the EL. I love taking the El downtown; primarily because I don't have to do it everyday, so it's a treat. I'm taking a summer class (I do love being a student) across from the Art Institute. I arrived at the Blue Line station and walked right onto the train headed downtown- no waiting for me! I settled into a seat and into working on the Tribune Crossword(s) from the Sunday section. I love a good crossword; however, they can make you feel quite brilliant or, if by week's end they remain barely solved, quite daft. But with a week's time I can come back to them again and again until I have solved as much as possible. There are those rare occurrences when I can solve them in one sitting. It's then that I spend a good amount of time reveling in my sheer genius.
I'm taking a class with two of my fellow teachers and am hoping to bring great ideas back to the classroom with me in the fall. We undertook a brief walking tour of the area around the Art Institute with a focus on the history of Chicago. I find history can be so fascinating when presented in such a tangible way. Class was interesting today, but the rest of the week holds greater promise as it will be more interactive. I had lunch with my friend in the garden just adjacent to the Art Institute, which is beautiful. There was time to even ponder the pigeons. Chicago pigeons do not hold the same romantic qualities that the pigeons in San Marcos Square in Venice do. These poor pigeons here will just never feel that kind of love.
After my class, I stopped over at another of my favorite places- the Harold Washington Library, which the idea of getting a good read came to me as inspiration after reading ML's latest blog. I checked out two completely fluffy beach reads. I love libraries, searching for books by their call numbers- it's a small treasure hunt with quick rewards and interesting architectural draws. I started my book on the way home and finished it a half an hour ago- 327 pages of pure delicious fluff; the literary equivalent of cotton candy. It's a book about four strong women who form a friendship over their love of shoes. Tomorrow, after class, I will have to head back to the library to return it and check out the next one. I think there are only two in the series, which is good, because one can over-indulge in cotton candy with sickly consequences!
I'm taking a class with two of my fellow teachers and am hoping to bring great ideas back to the classroom with me in the fall. We undertook a brief walking tour of the area around the Art Institute with a focus on the history of Chicago. I find history can be so fascinating when presented in such a tangible way. Class was interesting today, but the rest of the week holds greater promise as it will be more interactive. I had lunch with my friend in the garden just adjacent to the Art Institute, which is beautiful. There was time to even ponder the pigeons. Chicago pigeons do not hold the same romantic qualities that the pigeons in San Marcos Square in Venice do. These poor pigeons here will just never feel that kind of love.
After my class, I stopped over at another of my favorite places- the Harold Washington Library, which the idea of getting a good read came to me as inspiration after reading ML's latest blog. I checked out two completely fluffy beach reads. I love libraries, searching for books by their call numbers- it's a small treasure hunt with quick rewards and interesting architectural draws. I started my book on the way home and finished it a half an hour ago- 327 pages of pure delicious fluff; the literary equivalent of cotton candy. It's a book about four strong women who form a friendship over their love of shoes. Tomorrow, after class, I will have to head back to the library to return it and check out the next one. I think there are only two in the series, which is good, because one can over-indulge in cotton candy with sickly consequences!
I like when a book can be a fun read- nothing more than an enjoyable book. Now, in searching for this image, I have discovered they are making a movie of the book. I'm slightly disappointed by this. I love to savor a book with my imagination and not as what's fed to me on the silver screen.. At least, if I pick up the second book now and read it this week I get to read the book that does NOT have a cover image from the movie. That will be one pet peeve avoided!
Tomorrow is another day, Another crack at the crossword, another ride on the El, another lunch with friends, and another trip to the library. Other than the heat; it should be another delightful day!
Tomorrow is another day, Another crack at the crossword, another ride on the El, another lunch with friends, and another trip to the library. Other than the heat; it should be another delightful day!